Enola's B: Extra scene 6
 
In a Renaissance-era kingdom blending magic, early firearms, and courtly intrigue, the king’s sister Geneviere, a poised woman in her late thirties, traveled in a lavish carriage toward one of the smaller territories belonging to her brother’s close ally. Accompanying her was her 25-year-old butler, Nolance, ever attentive at her side.
 
Geneviere stared out the window, lost in thought, recalling her brother’s words before departure.
 
King Galtenna had told her, “Sister, I have a friend whose new duke manages one of his territories in a most peculiar yet effective way. The region earns high revenue and seems to have nearly conquered poverty itself, which is unusual. I want you to investigate, speak with the duke, and see if we can learn something to help our own people more easily.”
 
In the carriage, Nolance noticed her distraction.
 
“Madame?”
 
Geneviere blinked. “Huh? Oh, I’m just thinking. Who could this duke be? He has only ruled the territory for nearly a year, yet made it unusually prosperous.”
 
Nolance replied, “I heard he is an incredibly handsome young man, only 18 years old.”
 
Geneviere’s interest piqued. “Really? That makes it even more intriguing.”
 
---
 
They arrived at the town of Eureux, the heart of the duchy. The streets felt lighter than typical provincial towns. People moved with visible enjoyment in their daily labors. Children played freely. A carpenter whistled while carving intricate details into furniture. A sculptor shaped clay with focused delight. A baker shared laughter with customers over fresh bread. The air carried an uncommon sense of genuine contentment.
 
Nolance looked around in surprise. “Whoa, Madame. Are they actually having fun in their work?”
 
Geneviere observed thoughtfully. “It seems unconventional, but plausible.”
 
She approached a middle-aged, muscular carpenter crafting a detailed chair.
 
“Excuse me, is your duke present?”
 
The man glanced up casually. “That kid? Yeah, he’s inside the manor. Probably with his personal maid doing god knows what.”
 
Nolance stiffened at the man’s tone. “That kid!? Doing god knows what? Sir, you could get in serious trouble speaking about the duke like that!”
 
The carpenter shrugged. “Eh, don’t think so. That goofball is quite charming to most folks here. We talk to him like any normal resident.”
 
Geneviere asked, “What kind of man is he?”
 
The carpenter leaned on his work. “Ho boy, where do I even start? While detached or approachable dukes exist, he takes it to the next level of being over-friendly. It’s almost as if he and his maid are the only ‘real’ ones. When they first arrived, us residents looked pretty melancholic. Poetic terms, I suppose.”
 
Nolance followed up, “Is that related to why everyone here enjoys their work? You also mentioned his maid. What’s their story?”
 
The man nodded. “Yeah. The day he and his maid arrived and he was appointed duke, everyone was stuck in the usual grind. From what I heard, he rose fast in nobility. The prince liked his charisma and potential. No one really knows his or the maid’s exact origins though.”
 
Nolance noted, “That might be odd, but unknown backgrounds aren’t unheard of. So what made this province so prosperous?”
 
The carpenter paused in his work. “Well… it’s kinda like… he made creativity interesting by learning and doing the work out of genuine interest and fun, not just duty. Others caught on. I was already a carpenter before him, but now I really enjoy making detailed pieces. Earning money feels secondary when the work itself is satisfying. It’s unconventional, yet charming. The boy didn’t even preach. Though his innuendos can be aggravating!”
 
Nolance remarked, “That doesn’t sound like typical ducal duties. It almost sounds like the people here are doing most of the real work themselves.”
 
The man stopped again. “Wait a minute… yeah! You have a good point. All he really does is collect taxes while his maid inspects the town.”
 
---
 
Inside the manor’s main hall, Geneviere turned to her butler. “Nolance, what do you think so far?”
 
Nolance observed the staff. “The manor seems staffed mostly by maids and butlers. There is one maid who appears especially close to him, more like a personal attendant.”
 
A cheerful maid with short black hair bounced in. “Hiiiiii~~~”
 
Nolance hesitated. “Uh… h-hi?”
 
Geneviere asked directly, “Are you the duke’s private maid?”
 
The maid beamed. “Yes! Yes! The name’s Arbazol! The duke’s name is Alech!”
 
Nolance composed himself. “O…kay. Can we meet him now?”
 
Arbazol clapped. “Of course! This way!”
 
As they followed her down the hallway, Nolance probed further. “So… can you tell us more about Duke Alech? We heard you are often alone with him.”
 
Arbazol replied brightly, “Oh it’s nothing special! Mostly I just report the town’s status, including attractive female visitors!”
 
Nolance raised an eyebrow. “Attractive female visitors? Why?”
 
Arbazol furrowed her brow in an exaggerated, comically thoughtful expression. “Weeell… he has his own private dungeon. It might involve some weird stuff like abducting girls, leaving them clothless, bound by ropes, with vibrators and—”
 
Nolance interrupted quickly. “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Okay, no need to tell that.”
 
Geneviere remarked dryly, “Huh. If they are young, I guess I’m safe then.”
 
---
 
They arrived at the duke’s office. A handsome 18-year-old young man greeted them with effortless cheer.
 
Alech waved. “Hiiiii~~”
 
Nolance fumbled. “H-Hello bro, er I mean—”
 
Alech laughed. “Oh no need to be so formal! Just call me Alech! Make yourself at home! We already prepared some snacks!”
 
As they sat and Arbazol filled their cups, Geneviere began, “My brother, King Galtenna, told us about the high revenue this province generates under your management.”
 
Alech smiled. “Yes! But it’s actually the people doing the working.”
 
Nolance leaned forward. “We just met a carpenter. You’re saying you didn’t push hard to make them productive? They simply found you interesting and started genuinely learning things for fun?”
 
Alech nodded enthusiastically. “You could say that! If people are genuinely interested in the world, then everything becomes play!”
 
Nolance sounded skeptical. “I don’t know, Alech… That seems far-fetched. People are already interested in the world — money, power, attractive girls like the ones you supposedly kidnap in your dungeon, as Lady Arbazol told us…”
 
Alech grinned. “Oh, Arby told you that! Who knows, that might be true~”
 
Nolance shifted uncomfortably. “That’s… not awkward at all. So you don’t get bored trying new things?”
 
Alech replied, “Nope! Creativity is endless, plus I have Arbazol with me for some… ‘Oh-um!’ moments!”
 
Arbazol playfully protested, “Hey! That’s supposed to be a secret!”
 
Alech winked. “Whoops!”
 
Nolance sighed. “I… don’t think I need to know the rest.”
 
Geneviere introduced them properly. “We haven’t formally introduced ourselves. I’m Geneviere, elder sister of King Galtenna. This is Nolance, my butler.”
 
Alech beamed. “Nice to meet you!”
 
Nolance asked, “So Alech, can you share the secret to making an economy more effective? And please, no ‘Oh-um!’ details.”
 
Alech tilted his head. “Do you like to do anything outside of duty and make a way of living from it?”
 
Nolance admitted, “Actually, I like painting nude women.”
 
Geneviere raised an eyebrow. “Ohoo~ Really? Does this mean even my butler has a heinous side too?”
 
Nolance flushed. “Oh crap! No Madame, it’s just—”
 
Alech laughed. “That’s so cool! But why only draw women? How about us dudes? We’re hot too! Well, length might be a factor but still…”
 
Nolance clarified, “Actually, I’m just starting to study male anatomy for drawing.”
 
Alech encouraged him. “Nice! Paintings can be lucrative, but only more so if you genuinely love the work and want to improve your skills. If you chase money more than the craft, the whole thing feels transactional.”
 
Nolance considered this. “Really… a good point, yet unconventional.”
 
Alech continued thoughtfully, “You mentioned common interests, but have you ever thought those interests might not run deep if something essential is missing? When interest narrows and becomes purely transactional, it stops being real interest.”
 
Nolance stared. “Dude, for a guy who acts like a toddler you sure talk like a wise old man sometimes.”
 
Alech shrugged playfully. “Nah, it might be just nonsense I heard from some grumpy old guy. Who knows~ How about checking the best part of town? We know this great food court. Arbazol will guide you!”
 
Geneviere accepted. “We’ll happily take the offer.”
 
---
 
Later that night on the streets, Arbazol led them cheerfully when a panicked man ran up.
 
“Lady Arbazol! A mountain bandit is attacking!”
 
Nolance tensed. “A bandit!?”
 
Arbazol clapped her hands. “Goodness! Sounds like he needs love!”
 
A lean, tall, edgy man approached wielding retractable claw-like blades.
 
The bandit sneered, “You girl, are you with the Duke?”
 
Arbazol nodded. “Yes, that’s right!”
 
Nolance drew his magic wand. “Madame! Lady Arbazol! Please back off! I’ll protect you!”
 
The bandit laughed. “Ha! And what can a wimp like you—”
 
Suddenly the bandit froze. A rush of vivid, nightmarish premonitions flooded his mind: Arbazol kicking him into the sky toward moons and distant planets, his body shattering surfaces, supposed to be dead and pulverized, yet somehow intact and barely alive. The destruction around him was real, but his form was restored and sent back, only for the cycle to repeat instantly across different worlds. The visions felt utterly real.
 
The bandit stood paralyzed, eyes wide with pin-prick pupils, body shaking violently.
 
The witness muttered, “....”
 
Nolance asked cautiously, “H-hey man…? You okay…?”
 
The bandit remained frozen.
 
Arbazol stepped forward with concern. “My goodness! Do you need help? I can—”
 
The moment she moved, the bandit snapped. He tripped backward, crawled desperately, then ran away screaming.
 
“AH! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!”
 
Geneviere stared. “What…?”
 
Alech passed by, remaining as cheerful as ever. “Hey there! I heard there’s a bandit here looking for a girlfriend?”
 
Arbazol made an exaggerated, thoughtful face. “Yeah, he looked immediately afraid after encountering us, and panicked when I tried to help!”
 
Alech teased, “My goodness! Will you still be able to get a boyfriend?”
 
Arbazol struck an exuberant pose with two fists up and a mischievous, narrow-eyed comedic smile. “Oh I have ways! I can crack two eggs at once, remember?”
 
Alech feigned shock. “Yikes! Maybe I should watch out around you then!”
 
Nolance sighed. “Are bandits around here as weird as you two?”
 
Alech laughed. “Oh I hope they are weird!”
 
After enjoying the food court, Geneviere and Nolance bid farewell and returned to their carriage for the journey home.
 
Geneviere asked, “Nolance, what do you think of him?”
 
Nolance reflected. “Well Madame… I’ve been trying to connect things since talking to that carpenter. It seems that when work stops being purely transactional and becomes genuine interest- like ‘play,’ as the duke says, not only do earnings improve, but life itself feels better. Still hard to swallow though…”
 
Geneviere nodded. “Indeed. In our kingdom we focus so intently on the goal of helping the poor that we may only see small progress.”
 
Nolance wondered aloud, “So… how do we make people genuinely interested then?”
 
Geneviere sighed. “That… might be the hardest part. And I suspect no system alone can force people to care, even if it is good.”

Happy Summerween weekend, y’all 😎🎃

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Drawing of Cra of game Wakfu, drawn on March 14, 2014, based in the version of artist Xaxaxa
You can see more of my art in Twitter: https://x.com/ToshiroFudo